Indicating adjunct for gas-meters.



E. A. KERSTEIN.

INDICATING ADJUNCT FOR GAS METERS. APPLICATION FILED Mms, 1917.

Lo. Paten-tea om. 23, 191?,

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

.A. KEHSTElN.

INDICATING ADJU Foa GAS METERS. APPLICATIUN FILED JAN-6.1911- Patene Got. 2;',

' retiene.

ERNEST A. KEns'rEiN, or UNioimNE'w JEnsEY, AssroN'cit To Ai/rnnrcAN METER co.,

or NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION or DELAWARE.

INDICATING ADJUNCT FR GAS-METERS.

Specvrcaton of Letters atent. Patntgd Oct, 23" 191i?.

Application led January 6, 1917. Serial No.`141,033.

To 'ZZ fio/tom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ERNEsT'KERsrEiN, a citizen of the United States, residing lat town ot Union, in the county of Hudson and State of New Jersey, have invented new and useful Improvements in Indicating iidjuncts tor Gas-Meters, of which the iollowing isa specification. Y

This invention relates to indicatingadjuncts tor gas meters, and it comprises, briefly, an improved mechanism of the general character specified, which is designed tor connection with, a gas meter to directly indicate either the cost in centsfperhour of operating an appliance with which the meter is used, or the volume of gas consumed per hour bysuch appliance, as determined bythe rate oi flow through the meter.

According to the invention, the gas, on passing throughthe meter, is delivered to a chamber or reservoir, containing a flexible diaphragm which is connected to'the indicating mechanism proper. This diaphragm is controlled in its movements by ythe volume oi' gas in the aforesaid reservoir, and, in turn, controls the operation of the indicating mechanism in synchronismtherewith, so that the dial of the latter will show either of the two amounts above referred to, according to the character of its graduations or markings. rIhe invention resides primarily in the construction, arrangement and mounting` of the indicating` mechanism, and its mode ot operation bythe diaphragm, and in the devices provided for automatically regulating the flow of gas into and through the reservoir, all as hereinatter set forth.

.15in embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, whereo:--

Figure 1 is a Jfront elevation of a meter equipped with the improved indicating adjunct.

Fig.V 2'is an enlarged plan view 4of the adjunct itself, showing the side walls of the sight opening in section.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section. y t Y Fig. l is a'fragmental vertical section at right angles to Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section'on line 5-5 Figp.

\ Referring more particularly to said drawing, 7 indicates, generally, a gas meter of the ordinary or kstandardtype, whichfthe gaseiiters through the inlet pipe 8 and traverses in the -usualv manner, duringV which time the dial mechanism 9 of the meter is actuated. The ordinary outlet 10 is also provided; but instead or' passing through this outlet to the service connection, the gas flows into the interior of the indicating adjunct 1l about tobe described, the outlet being connected to the latter by a short horizontalpipe 12, which thus constitutes the inlet for the adjunct.

VThe aforesaid indicating adjunct is here shown as mounted rupon the top of the meter, its 'various mechanisms being arranged within a casing 13, through the base of which the pipe 12 leads. The front portion of this casing is closed by a dial plate 14 of cardboard, metal or other suitable material, provided with a sight opening 15, through which the readings of the indicating mechanisinare taken. As shown in Figs. 2, 3 and-4, the casing 13 contains a hollow case,

'chamber or reservoir 17, whose upper and lower members are provided with laterallyprojecting marginal `Hanges 18 that are fastened together by bolts 19, or the like, said flanges serving as clamps for Athe edge ofk a :flexible diaphragm 20 disposed within the reservoir, the arrangement being such as to form a gas-tight Vjoint extending entirely around the chamber at the point specified. The lower member of the said chamber is provided with a central, depending contraction or throat 21, through whose bottom wall a tubular neck 22 projects upwardly into the interior of the chamber, the lower end 0i' said neck being fixed to a suitable base plate 28. The inlet pipe l2, above ieferred to, opens into this neck or passage 22 below the bottom of the throat 21, and

. from vthe latterthere leads, in turn, a horizontal pipe 24, which extends through the casing 13 and, therefore, constitutesthe gas outlet for the entire apparatus,'being connected for that purpose by a service pipe, (not shown), with the appliance to be tested. i

The gas, on leaving the meter, will, theretore, flow. through the pipes l0, l2 and 22, and will enter the reservoir chamber 17' by way ot the last-named pipe or passage,as will be understood; and since the desired readings, (either the cost in cents per hour, or the volumeV of gas flowing through the meter per hour), are based uponthe ratel phragm 20, which, in turn rises and depending pins or lugs 36,

of flow, it becomes necessary, therefore, to provide some means or device for controlling the rate of flow, and for ysynchronizing the action of the indicating` mechanismV accordantly therewith. ln the construction illustrated, the first robject mentioned is effected by means of a valve 25, which is connected to the diaphragm 2() Vto movev therewith.k This valve, as shown, is formed with a. body portion 26 which tapers gradually from irslower to its upper end and is i provided at its said lower end with a circumferential flange or shoulder 27, said body working through an opening 28 formed in the top wall of the neclr or tube 22, the wall of the opening being outwardly beveled, as shown. The lower diameter of the said opening is slightly less than that of the flange 27, so that the latter thus functions a stop orv check to limit the upward movement of the Valve. The valve is guided in its movements by means of its axial lower portion or stem 29, which projects downwardly from the valve body and has asliding i t in an upright sleeve 30, the latter forming part of the base 23, lt will thus be seen that as the valve rises, the annular passage between its body portion and the wall of the opening 28 will be gradually constricted, and will be completely closed vor Ycut out when the valve reaches its upper limit of movement. Conversely, when the valve drops, this passage will become gradually enlarged, and will attain its greatest area when the valve terminates its downward movement, at which time the base of the valve engages the top of the sleeve 80.

The movements of the Valve are effected and controlled by the ilexure of the dial falls accordantly with the variations in the yol ume of gas contained in the rt fvoir chamber 1T. Y l? or this purpose, the upper portion 3l of the yalye is formed with a thread- '1' ed soclret 32 for `he reception of a depending, threaded pin or lug which is formed `on or secured to a clamping plate Se that is disposed against the lower surface of the diaphragm. he plate 3l coacts with a companion upper plate 35 that is disposed against the upl er surface of the diaphragm,.

the twov plates being fastened together by that pass through openings in the lower plate and the diaphragm and are engaged by cap nutsBT,

(Fig. 8). Owing to theconnection of the inlet pipe l2 with the meter, it will be apparent that under normal conditions, gas will liow into the reservoir chamber from the meter and will expand or raise the diaphragm yuntil the chamber is completely lilled, when the valve will occupy its upper. or closed position, thereby cutting od' any further flow of gas from the meter, it

being understood,oof course, that at such time there is no exhaust from the chamber, since the service pipe connected with, the outlet-'pipe 2li is equipped with z ontrolliug valve' which is normally closed. llllien, however,.the valye just mentioned is opened, thev gas contained in said Chamber will'be gradually exhausted therefrom, the ,diaphrag'm and its -valve 25 will drop, and gas will again flow from the meter into the chamber.

The indicating mechanism actuated and controlled by and in accordance with the movements of the diaphragm, as previously stated, for which reason its operating parts are mounted uponV thediaphragm 'to rise and fall therewith. Preferably, these operating parts comprises. vertical frame or cage 38, carrying an 'upright racl; 3f) which` during the movements of the frame, oper-Y etes the indicating mechanism proper through the intermediary of a suitable gear train, as hereinafter described. The frame or cage 38 is here shown as consisting of a pair of spaced uprights e0, connected by upper and lower cross-pieces ll and the Ythreaded lower ends of the uprights entending. through registering openings in the clamping plates 35 and 34; and the diaphragm, and being held in place by cap nuts rl`he cage projects upwardly 'through y an opening le in the upper member of the Vreservoir casing, and is designed for sliding engagement witli a pair of vertical guide posts aflixed to said member at opposite sides of such opening, and haring their upper ends connected by a plate e6, these posts being engaged by rollers di' carried by the l?) and 52 may be supported and journaled in anyV desired manner,'but preferably their ends are engaged inbearing screws 53 and 'fel, which are themselves supported in some isuitable way, the upper bearing screw for the vertical shaft 52 being mounted in the top plate d6, which is directly fastened Vupon a second pair of upright posts 55, located slightly in front of the posts lThe indicating mechanism proper is carried by the shaft 52, and it consists. in this instance, of a cylindrical drum 56. `whose peripheral wall is provided with lascale 57, the latter being graduated in the proper manner to indicate either the cost'ior the .volume per hour of the gas flowing through the meter. The drum is adjustable on the said shaft 52, in order to enable it to be brought .directly opposite the sight opening l5, and its scalev 57 is removable therefrom yto be replaced by a ,scale graduated in units of a dift'eient character, or with its computations based upon a. di'iierent rate of cost'. rlChe gear is also removable i'romshai't r52, and is adapted to `be replaced by ,gears haying fa greater forlower number oi' teeth, according as the price of the gas changes. rlhe rotation of shatt- 52 is caused by that of the horizontal shaft e9, through the intermeshing gears andl, the latter shaft deriving its movementfroin the rack 39, which is carried up and down with the cage or frame 38,; vand since 'the latter is lnormally kdisposed 1li-tits upper limit of movement,

the scale will beso arranged with `respect to the drum 56 as to normally display its zero point at the center of the sight opening.

The operation is substantially as Yfollows The range, lamp, or other ygas appliance to be tested,is connected upvto the outlet pipef, the burner valve opened and the burner lighted. Gas then commences to exhaust from the reservoir `chamber i7, thereby decreasing the `iiiessui'e below the diaphragm. The latter then g 'adually drops, due to the weight or" the cage and associated parts connectedv to it, and as it drops, causes the valve to move downward likewise, the movement of the valve 25 gradually uncoyeringand enlarging the passage Q8, with the result that gas iiows into the reservoir from the meter through the parts 10, l2 and As the flow of gas from the reservoir increases, thecage or traine moves downward with the diaphragm, and its rack 39 rotates the gear 48, thereby driving the gear train, ot' which said gear 48 forms a part, and producing, in consequence, ,the actuation of the indicating drum, thereadings on whosescale are visible through :the sight opening. This reading directly indicates the exactk cost or volume per hour ot the yiassing through the meter, as based upon the particular rate of .flow at thev time when the reading is taken, no further calcul-ation being necessary. Consequently, the burner `need fonly be kept lighted a comparatively short time, so that the `cost of the test to the demonstrator Yis extremely low. The reading changes, of course, as the rate of flow Varies. lThus, if more gas is turned on, the amount of the reading increases, due .to the continued rotation ot' the drum; while, similarly, if the gas supply at the appliance is lowered, gas will accumulate in the reservoir, with the result lthat the diaphragm is expanded, the cage or frame raised, and the drum is rotated backward. 1f the rate of flow remains constant, no change in the reading takes place, since in such case the pressures on both sides of the diaphragm are balanced. As soon as the burner is eX- tinguished, the reservoir refills, and the scale `returns tozero position, the supply being shut oii automatically when the opening 28 is closed by the Valve I claim as my inyentionl. in indicating adjunct for fluid meters, comprising, in combination, a reservoir chamber provided with an inlet and an outlet for the fluid, the former.suppliedv from the meter; a diaphragm within said chamber governed as to its movements by the pressure of the iiuid therebeneath, said inlet ,communicating with said chamber below said diaphragm; a depending valve-tor controlling the `flow oit' liquid through said inlet connected to the under side-ot' said diaphragm :to ybe operated thereby; and an iiidicat-iiig mechanism having its operating part mounted upon the upper side of said diaphragm to be actuated by the same.

Q. in indicating adjunctfor iiuid meters, comprising, chamber supplied from the meter; an indieating mechanism embodying .a movable graduated scale, and means `for automatically moving said scale accordantly with Uhe vrate Vof ilow of the iiuid through saidchamber and by the raction of theilui'd itself.

3. An indicating adjunct tor fluid meters, comprising, in combination, a reservoir chamber supplied from the meter; an indicating mechanism embodying a rotatable scale, and a train of gearing for operating it; and means for automatically driving said train accordantly with the rate oi3 iiow of the fluid through said chamber and by the action of the fluid itself.

el. in indicating adjunct for fluid meters, comprising', in combination, a reservoir chamber supplied iroin the meter; an indicating Vmechanism embodying a movable scale, a. lsupport-ing member therefor, and a Y driving train leading to said member; a recip rocatory operating element for said train; and means 'tor automatically actuating said oliierating element accordautly with the rate ot how oi" the iluid through said cliamberand bythe action of the lluid itself.

5. An indicating adjunct for iuid meters, comprising, in combination, a reservoir chamber supplied from the meter; an in` dicating mechanism embodying a rotatable scale, supportingA shaft therefor, and a driving train leading to said shait; a rising in combination, a reservoir and falling rack for operating said tra-in; f

yand means for automatically actuating said rack accordantly with the rate of iiow of the fluid through said chamber and by the action of the fluid itself.

6. An indicating adjunct for fluid meters, comprising, in combination, a reservoir chamber supplied from the meter; an indicating mechanism embodying a movable scale; a huid-controlled diaphragm within said chamber; means for controlling the supply of fluid to said chamber; and means operated by the movements of said diaphiagm foiy moving said scale.

7. An indicating adjunct` i''oi duid meters, comprising, in combination, a closed i'eser- Voii chamloei1 supplied iiom he meter; an indicating mechanism embodyina movable scale; means i'oi controlling Jdie supply of liuid to said chamber; and a fluid-contiolled diaphi-agin Within said chamber connecied to operate said scale and said contiolling means in syncln'onism.

8. ein indicaiing adjunci i'oi fluid meters, compising, in combination, a reservoir chamber supplied fiom the mebei; an indicaing mechanisml embodying a movable scale, a supporting membei` tliei'eioi', and a driving 'tiain leading to said memben; a recipiocatoiy operating elemen for said train; means for controlling the supply oit iuid to said chambei; and a iuid-controlled diaphiaom Within said chambei connected to actuae said operating element and said coniloliing means in synchl'onism.

9. An indicaing adj unct for duid meteis, comprising, in combina-tion a ieseryoii chamber supplied from he meter; an indicating mechanism embodying a roizaiable scale7 a suppoi'ting shaft theei'oi, and a driving Jaiain leading io said shaftya i'ising and falling nach for operating said tiain; means for coniiolling he supply oi i'iuid io said chamber; and a iiuid-coni'olled diaphiagm Within said chambei' conneeed io actuate said rack and said conbiolling means in synchionism.

l0. An indicating adjunct ioi iiuid meters, compiising, in combinaion, a ieser Voir chamber provided with a tubular inlet pipe having an opening in its discharge end; a valve Working in said opening fof controlling the oW of uid therethrough; an indicaiing mechanism; and a fluid-coniiolled member Within said chamber connected so operaie said indicating mechanism and said valve in synchronism.

ll. ln indicaliing attachment for iiuid meters, comprising, in'combinaion, a iesen Voir chamber in communication with a sourceV of fluid supply; a 1feitical fname mounted upon said chamber; an indicating mechanism mounted Within said frame and embodying a movable scale and operating insegno therefor; means foi' controlling the of fluid to said chambei; a duid-controlled diaphagn Within said chambeilconneced o actua-ie said controlling means; a rising and falling cage mounted on said diaphragm and guided Within said frame; and an element foi' actuating said scaleopei'aing means mounted in said cagel to move iheiewith.

l2. An hidicating` attachmentfoi' Huid meei's, comprising in combination, a reservoir ohainbei in communica-sion withV a souice of iiuid supply; venais-al ff" une mouned upon said chainbei; a vefiical shaft and a hoizontal shaf; jouinaled in said ii'ame and having iniei--meshing geai's; a scale fixed io `the vertical shaft to rotaie 'ihei-ewith; a second gear on the hoiizonal shaib; means ioi contolling the supply of fluid co said chainbei; a V{inid-conirolled diaphragm within said chambei' connected to act-nate said coni-nolling means; a rising and falling'ca C"emonned on said diaphi'agm and guided Within said frame; and an endn'ise-mofable.y yeiical iacl; meshing with and driving he second gear on said hoiisaionial shaft and connected to move with said cage.

i3. An indicaiiing atiachmem;V for duid meeis, oompiismg, in combination, a i'esei'- Voir chambei in communication with a soiuce of fluid supply; a vert-ical fname mounted up said chambeif; a Vertical shaf joninaled in said frame; a iotai'y scale carried by said sha-it; driving train for said sha'l' mounted in said frame; means for conbfolling the supply of fluid o said cham ber; a fluid-con-i'olled diaphilagm Wit-hin means supply trolling means; a rising and falling cage Y nesses. f

ERNEST A.. KERSTELT. vt"/l/Titnesses MAX A. HoLLanDna, JOHN Gnnnomdn Genies o this patent may be ebaine for five Genis each, b adfiessinf* ne Commissioner o atents Washington, E. 

